Stormy Night and a Hole In One

Well guys, we didn't quite get our first 18 hole round of the season in tonight but we did get nine holes in before all hell broke loose.

The sky turned black in a hurry and blocked out the sun and we knew it was going to get bad just before the horn sounded to call us off the course.

I know our group was teeing off on hole #4 as the horn blasted. Lyle Williams and myself decided we had time to drive up to the green to retrieve the golf balls. Not the smartest move. As I reached down to grab the first ball the wind came through the trees like nothing I'd seen before. Tree limbs, leaves and branches began falling around us.

As we made our way across the bridge at hole #17 we stopped as we heard a crack. We looked up and watched as the top half of a pine tree snapped off in the wind and fell on the green next to the hole. Tom and Andy will have some repairs to do I'm guessing.

I'm usually pretty calm but I will admit I had some nerves working as we made it back to the shop to park the cart. It was certainly an experience and luckily everyone made it to the clubhouse safely. That's the most important thing.

Lost among the excitement of the storm was the fact that Michael Walker of the Fat Shafts jarred his second ever ace on hole #2 to claim the hole in one winnings which he generously used to purchase a round of drinks for those who stuck around. Thanks Mike and Congratulations.

As far as the scores go, not all score cards were turned in so once they are tracked down and the totals for the first nine are calculated, I will update the online standings. If you took a scorecard home with you, please return it to the clubhouse as soon as possible.

The Closest to the Pin prizes were yet to be ruled upon and I'm unaware who won the 50/50.

Don't forget we'll try for another 18 holes next week.

A Wednesday Wash Out

For those of you who showed up on Wednesday night, you know first hand that this weeks golf was cancelled due to inclement weather.

Heavy rain and lightning caused a half hour delay before it was finally decided that we would cancel the matches for the evening and try again next Wednesday night.

For those of you who paid for the Closest To The Pin competition it is my understanding that there will be two CTTP holes on each nine next week. Those who didn't have their money in will pay double next week to be included.

This is the first time I can recall a Mens League night being cancelled due to the weather although I'm sure it has happened in the past at some point. We've golfed in some pretty heavy rain before but the lightning is nothing to play with so it was best to ere on the side of caution.

See you all next week!

Stormy Weather Advice

This has been an unusually stormy start to the golf season and when we head out on the course, safety should be our first concern.

According to the USGA there are some things to remember when the bad weather approaches.

AVOID
- Solitary Trees
- Small rain or sun shelters
- Large open areas
- Wet areas
- Elevated areas
- All metal objects including: golf clubs, golf carts, fences, electrical and maintenance machinery and power lines

SEEK
- Large permanent building
- Fully enclosed metal vehicle: car, truck or van
- Lowest elevation areas

If sudden, close-in lightning does not permit evacuation to a safer place, crouch into a baseball catchers type position with feet together and hands on knees.

Any player has the right to stop play if they think lightning threatens them or they feel unsafe even if no signal from the clubhouse has sounded. Safety first.